By Arabella Peterson Interiors 01.09.2025

An Artist’s Guide To Channelling Summer at Home Year-Round

Brigitte Grant, the artist behind our La Sirène collection, shares how she keeps the spirit of summer alive in the cooler months.

Winter is around the corner, and even those who won't miss the sunburn and perpetual stickiness of the hottest months can’t deny there's a lot of joy in the rearview when summer fades. We say farewell to days stretched longer, the buzz of beaches and parks, and the scent of roses and honeysuckle lingering in the air.

For artist Brigitte Grant, summer is her muse. And luckily for her, living on the Australian Sunshine Coast means she experiences it almost all year round. Ideas flood her mind as the temperature rises, her mood lightens, and the days expand. “Summer feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s barefoot days, freckles returning, and catch-ups with friends while diving under waves,” she says. “Creatively, it’s the season when colours – ocean blues, a hibiscus inspired palette, and g olden sunlit yellows – become staples. It reminds me that joy and play are serious sources of inspiration!”

After the launch of our sellout La Fontelina tableware collection last summer, Brigitte’s mind began to wander towards the mystery of the ocean – mermaids, folklore, and secrets beneath the waves. Together with Bed Threads Co-Founder Genevieve, Brigitte “shared a vision for something that celebrated the coastline while nodding to European seaside romance, mythical magic, and a dash of pirate history.”

This coastal daydreaming resulted in the La Sirène collection, which features a table runner, tablecloth, napkins, placemats, cushion covers and silk scrunchie – all adorned with hand-painted motifs awash with nautical nostalgia. Playful details like seashells, starfish, and swirling shores embellish each piece, making them feel like “a treasure, a whisper of ancient seas, sunken stories, and dreamy afternoons by the water,” explains Brigitte. “They’re a blend of whimsical fun with a touch of elegance.”

Just because the weather has turned, it doesn't mean the spirit of summer has to disappear – especially in your home décor. A touch of warmth year-round might be just what you need to cure the winter blues. Here, as a connoisseur of the sunny season, Brigitte offers her advice for channeling the warmth, wonder, and ease of summer, no matter the temperature outside.

Let yourself be guided by small moments of inspiration

While she finds endless inspiration in her hometown of the Sunshine Coast, she says, “Abroad, I’m obsessed with the Mediterranean: Italy’s hidden coves, France’s sun-bleached boardwalks, and Spain’s mermaid-approved waters. Anywhere there’s history, salt and sun!” For Brigitte, travel is inseparable from creativity. “Travel gives my creativity a sense of freedom. I paint when I’m people-watching at a café, take photos of places and details I want to paint later, and always rely on memory for the feeling – like the clink of glasses at golden hour with friends, the scent of sunscreen, and the extra salty ocean.”

Even when she’s off the clock, she turns to the sea for calm. “A swim is always a must. I love floating with my eyes shut. Then a long beach walk collecting tiny treasures like shells and beach rocks. To finish it off, nothing beats a seaside Aperol or rosé while watching the sky change colours.”

How to channel it at home

Look for the beauty in the little things, and use this inspiration to infuse your home with dreamy tranquility. Create your own “memory palette” by using tones inspired by your happiest coastal moments – the pink of sunset light, the deep blue of a harbour, the faded gold of sand. Curate mood through ritual by trying to adopt a slow-living rhythm. This could look like a relaxed evening bathing ritual, taking time to watch the sun set, or starting the day with a long stroll.

If you’re particularly inspired by a location you’ve visited, take a small keepsake. A postcard or photograph can imbue a corner of your home with coastal spirit. In terms of décor, think texture as well as theme. Ocean motifs add charm and character, but make sure it’s balanced and grounded with simple, natural materials like rattan and linen to evoke the feeling of the coast without leaning into kitschy beach resort territory.

Think like an artist

“Music loud, windows open, an iced coffee and fresh fruit,” is how Brigitte describes her studio set-up. “I have paint on my hands before the coffee is even finished.” Her creative process mirrors the ease and spontaneity of summer: “I go for a morning swim whenever I can. It feels like a wonderful reset! Then I usually jot down my ideas for the day and listen to music.” When her schedule fills up, she still finds small ways to protect her creative energy, “I honour tiny creative acts. Ten minutes of painting watercolour icons. Even if it’s in bed after a long day.”

How to channel it at home

So what if you’re not an artist, you don’t live by the beach, and you're already bundled up for winter? Let light and sound lead. Keep curtains open as soon as a crack of sun appeals, play your favourite summer-inspired music, and let natural light shape the mood of your space.

Make space for “mini creativity” by spending a few minutes each day writing, sketching, or dancing – small gestures keep inspiration flowing. Create atmosphere through scent with freshly cut flowers (pansies and camellias are beautiful winter blooms that still feel summery and vibrant), or lighting a candle that has beachy overtones like salt and citrus. Immerse yourself in the season wherever you are.

Embrace joy and imperfection

Brigitte describes her work as “Sun-kissed and fun,” she revels in “creating spaces and artworks that feel full of energy.” Her home, like her art, reflects an affection for vibrant, joyful imperfection. Her favourite part of her house is “A corner filled with mismatched seaside mementos – shells, a little framed print of a mermaid, and a ceramic vase from Capri. It’s like having a pocket-sized vacation in my living room!” she says.

When it comes to colour, intuition always comes first. “I paint with intuition first and logic later,” she explains. “Colours often choose each other on my palette before I’ve made the decision and I love the freedom of that.” Brigitte gravitates toward materials that feel tactile and lived-in like: “Colourful, perfectly wrinkled linen. Fun ceramics. Anything that brings joy and reminds me of the coast.” She insists seaside charm is about more than white and pastel tones. “I think colour is a good place to start. Coastal charm doesn’t have to be just light colours. Deep blues and browns can also reflect the ocean!”

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How to channel it at home

Like rugged coastlines and wild seas, there’s beauty in imperfection. An unironed tablecloth or handmade vase brings the relaxed warmth of the seaside indoors. Bespoke or handmade artworks bring authenticity and storytelling into the home. The fingerprint of a ceramicist, the slight asymmetry of a handmade vessel – it’s these details that make a home feel alive. In the La Sirène collection, Brigitte’s artworks are digitally printed to showcase the intricate details of each brushstroke. Mix old and new for a textured, layered look – pair keepsakes and vintage furniture with fresh linens and modern accents to create a collected, coastal feel.

You can bring this ethos into the way you entertain, too. Casual meals can be elevated with playful tableware paired with fresh, simple dishes. A zesty pasta, fresh fruit, or simple salad with a few pitchers of iced tea is the perfect accompaniment to a fun tropic-inspired spread.